Ancora Waterfront Dining & Patio just released their Pescatarian Tasting menu from February 19 till March 31. The menu has 5 Peruvian-Japanese fusion dishes by executive chef Ricardo Valverde.

I personally love tasting menus as it gives you a glimpse into the chef mind and see more creativity than on a regular menu. Plus, the ingredients that go into the dishes are fresh and in season. Plus, you might discover a new favourite dish.

Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru and we got a little taste before the meal.

Amuse

This taster has lobster bisque, coconut espuma and crispy quinoa. This had a strong and flavourful lobster taste. A good way to kick off this pescatarian menu.

Causa Mixta

This has a selection of shell fish like scallops, white fish, shrimp, and mussels. There is also yam, nori and acevichado sauce.

This is paired with Seastar Stella Maris 2014 from Pender Island, BC. It is a blend of Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris.

Matane shrimp risotto

This dish has cauliflower, hazelnuts, preserved lemon and thyme. The dish was delicious and the texture was very nice. The hazelnut was an interesting element added to the dish but I loved it. The preserved lemon added a good amount of tanginess and the thyme and lemon flavouring went well together. All the flavours in this dish really complimented each other.

This is paired with the Prima Volta Chardonnay 2015 from the Okanagan Valley.

Aji panca glazed sablefish

The sablefish is paired with quinoa crackling, kale gomae, and smoked potato puree on daikon. The sablefish was cooked perfectly and the flakiness it was melt in your mouth. I enjoyed every bite of this dish.

This is paired with the Kettle Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2013 from Okanagan Valley.

Picarones

Picarones are like a lighter version of a donut.

This is a Peruvian classic with pecans, fig syrup and Lucuma ice cream which tasted like delicious gingerbread. The flavours tied well together and was a joy to finish the meal on this sweet note.

This is paired with the Late Harvest Sperling 2014 from the Okanagan Valley. Great to see all the local BC wines paired with the menu picked by their sommelier team.

Final Thoughts

For $59 per person or $99 with wine pairings, it’s a good price and you will be leaving satisfied.

]]>http://foodology.ca/ancora-pescatarian-tasting-menu/feed/0http://foodology.ca/ancora-pescatarian-tasting-menu/Wholly Veggie! : Easy Ways to Add Veggies to Your mealhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/DTAPd95sHj8/
http://foodology.ca/wholly-veggie-easy-ways-add-veggies-meal/#respondTue, 20 Feb 2018 16:00:21 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54245Wholly Veggie! are veggie patties that are soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, GMO-free, and no added sugar. Started in Toronto in 2013 by David and John, they are on a mission to add more veggies on your plate. They have debuted with 3 flavours – Southwest Beet, Sweet Curry Carrot, and Herby Garlic Greens. I tried all […]

Wholly Veggie! are veggie patties that are soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, GMO-free, and no added sugar. Started in Toronto in 2013 by David and John, they are on a mission to add more veggies on your plate.

They have debuted with 3 flavours – Southwest Beet, Sweet Curry Carrot, and Herby Garlic Greens. I tried all 3 flavours and they were decent. Instantly, people would think to have them in burgers, but there are many ways to incorporate into your meal in simple ways.

Breakfast with Herby Garlic Greens Patty

I used the herby garlic greens patty in my breakfast. What makes the patty green is spinach, green beans, green peas, broccoli, and herbs. I thought it would pair well with gooey scrambled eggs with chili peppers. Then a simple tomato salad with salt and feta.

You can even use the patty as a base for a unique pizza.

Veggie Bowl with Southwest Beet and Sweet Curry Carrot Patties

I made this with a base of quinoa on the bottom, them topped it with zucchini noodles, sautéed mushrooms, red and orange peppers, broccoli, hummus and the Southwest Beet patty and Sweet Curry Carrot patty.

Final Thoughts

All 3 flavours were good and easy to add to my meals. It’s quick and easy to cook. My favourite way of cooking them are the toaster just like bread. A few minutes and its ready.

]]>http://foodology.ca/wholly-veggie-easy-ways-add-veggies-meal/feed/0http://foodology.ca/wholly-veggie-easy-ways-add-veggies-meal/2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: Mid-Size Off Road Truck Reviewhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/v6mJj9-xpLk/
http://foodology.ca/2018-chevrolet-colorado-zr2/#respondMon, 19 Feb 2018 16:00:42 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54218I spent a week test driving the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, which is a mid-sized off road truck. As I normally drive a sedan, this was a fun upgrade driving around Downtown Vancouver and escaping for the weekend in Whistler. The truck is a great size for city driving and then ripping up the roads if […]

I spent a week test driving the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, which is a mid-sized off road truck. As I normally drive a sedan, this was a fun upgrade driving around Downtown Vancouver and escaping for the weekend in Whistler. The truck is a great size for city driving and then ripping up the roads if you dare.

This isn’t a vehicle for everyone, but great for those who is looking for a ride in all types of environments.

Exterior

The short and narrow dimensions make it very manageable getting around tight corners especially for off-roading compared to a full-sized truck.

There is quite a bit of ground clearance at about 9 inches, so getting around obstacles shouldn’t be an issue especially with rockers that help protect the vehicle. But, if you are short, it takes a bit of effort to hoist yourself inside. From first glance at the vehicle, the front and rear bumpers have been modified to give better off-road clearance, plus it’s shield protects the underbody.

The additional sport bar and lights is additional, but gives it an awesome sporty and aggressive look.

Interior

The interior is roomy and has plenty of head clearance for those who are tall. The seats are comfy and come in either leather or cloth seats. Our vehicle had leather seats.

There are cupholders and USB ports for the passengers, so they can keep their phones charged if you’re going on a trip.

Tech

There is Wi-Fi, On-Star, navigation, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, wireless charging, lots of USB ports, and many other features that you can customize for your vehicle. Heated seats and remote start are great for those days when it’s freezing outside.

They do have safety technologies like a standard rear vision camera and available Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning to help prevent collisions before they happen. It would be good if they had push button start or a blind-spot detection.

Drive

As this particular model has the Duramax 2.8L Turbo-Diesel engine, it has quite a pronounced sound, but then again it is a truck and some people love to hear the sound. The ride is pretty smooth and there are different engine options too.

Final Thoughts

It starts at around $46,000 CDN, but can go up based on customizations you add to the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Give it a test drive and see how you like it.

]]>http://foodology.ca/2018-chevrolet-colorado-zr2/feed/0http://foodology.ca/2018-chevrolet-colorado-zr2/Dundas Eat and Drink: Vegan Vietnamese Disheshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/d3fqYRwxhsI/
http://foodology.ca/dundas-vegan/#respondMon, 19 Feb 2018 11:00:27 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54259Dundas Eat and Drink is best known for their Six o Pho 5lb pho challenge. They recently came out with a new vegan menu to cater to those with dietary restrictions. A few of us were invited to check out this menu and I was pleasantly surprised at these dishes since I love vegetables. Vegan […]

Dundas Eat and Drink is best known for their Six o Pho 5lb pho challenge. They recently came out with a new vegan menu to cater to those with dietary restrictions. A few of us were invited to check out this menu and I was pleasantly surprised at these dishes since I love vegetables.

Vegan Bao Sliders

Between these bao buns are veggies, eggplant, king oyster mushroom, and lemongrass tofu.

Vegan Pad Thai

There are rice noodles, mushrooms, tofu, broccoli, carrot, chives, beansprouts and tamarind sauce. The tamarind gives it a good flavour and balance well with the ingredients in the dish.

Vegan Curry

This is a red curry with taro root, tofu, mushrooms, potato, carrot and eggplant. It comes with rice on the side.

Vegan Pho

This pho has veggies and tofu in the slow simmered broth that has lots of depth in flavour which I was really surprised. Very delicious.

Kale Salad

The salad has kale, jimaca, grape tomato, tofu and garlic vinaigrette. A healthy item to have on the side when you have a bowl of pho.

Vegan Wontons

Inside these vegan wontons are sweet yam, taro root, king oyster mushroom, shallot, and leek all in the vegan wonton wrapper. It’s crisp on the outside and then inside are all the veggies.

Final Thoughts

It’s great that they are able to offer these items to their customers so vegans and carnivores can eat together with no issues as there are lots of options on the menu.

]]>http://foodology.ca/dundas-vegan/feed/0http://foodology.ca/dundas-vegan/Green and Oak: Malaysian Cuisine in North Burnabyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/dHxXC-bnqBo/
http://foodology.ca/green-and-oak/#respondSun, 18 Feb 2018 16:00:24 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54112Green & Oak is a new restaurant in North Burnaby on Hastings Street specializing in Malaysian cuisine. They took over the previous location – Mr Chili. A few of us came here for dinner to try it out. Interior The space is large and there are lots of seats for small to large groups. We […]

Green & Oak is a new restaurant in North Burnaby on Hastings Street specializing in Malaysian cuisine. They took over the previous location – Mr Chili. A few of us came here for dinner to try it out.

Interior

The space is large and there are lots of seats for small to large groups. We made a reservation ahead of time since we had a large group for dinner.

Menu

Satay Skewers

The skewers come in chicken, pork or beef. Each order is 1 piece each, so we got 3 of each. The skewers were all ok, but could be a bit more juicy.

Roti-Canai

This is freshly made in-house and it is Malaysian flatbread.It comes with 2 pieces cut up and served with a curry dipping sauce.

Chicken Wings

These are deep-fried whole chicken wings and it comes with a garlic lemon dip. Very crunchy on the exterior and the meat inside was very juicy. It comes with 3 pieces per order.

Hainanese Chicken

The whole chicken comes with 4 soups and 4 rice dishes as well. It is a popular dish in Singapore as the chicken is cooked in delicious chicken stock and served in a red chili and ginger dipping sauces.

The Hainanese chicken was ok but nothing amazing. We wished it was served a bit warmer.

The rice was a bit oily but the soup was delicious.

Seafood Laksa Noodle Soup

This is a curry-based soup with tofu, bean sprouts, egg, lemongrass, lime juice, coconut milk, vermicelli noodles and seafood. You can also ask for it with egg noodles too. The flavour is different than most laksas in town, so people either love it or hate it. I really enjoyed the broth and I could eat the whole bowl.

Mee Goreng

This has egg noodle with beef, shrimp, tofu, cucumber and tomato. It was ok.

Belachan Fried Rice

This is fried rice with dried shrimp, chili pepper, pork, shrimp, egg, and sou sauce. This was pretty average too.

Char Kuey Teow

This was delicious. It has fried rice noodle with shrimp, tofu, pork, egg, chili, and soy sauce.

Malaysian Curry Rice

This is put together with curry paste, lemongrass, shallot, onion, basil, other herbs and is served with steamed rice.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I love the look of the space and the service was decent. Some of the dishes are a hit and miss. I enjoyed the chicken wings, Char Kuey Teow, and the laksa.

]]>http://foodology.ca/green-and-oak/feed/0http://foodology.ca/green-and-oak/Xi’an Famous Foods: Spicy Noodles in New Yorkhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/s3L_XVwk6K0/
http://foodology.ca/xian-famous-foods/#respondSat, 17 Feb 2018 16:00:15 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53003Xi’an Famous Foods is a chain of fast casual restaurants based in New York City that serves authentic Northern Chinese dishes. When in New York, I had to try it since I love some good spicy noodles. We went to the location closest to MoMA and it’s literally across the street. Interior There is seating […]

Xi’an Famous Foods is a chain of fast casual restaurants based in New York City that serves authentic Northern Chinese dishes. When in New York, I had to try it since I love some good spicy noodles. We went to the location closest to MoMA and it’s literally across the street.

Interior

There is seating on either side of the walls, but no group tables at all. Those who are eating alone or with people don’t have to worry. It was busy in the evening, so we waiting a little bit till another group left.

Menu

Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles in Soup

The hand-ripped noodles, topped with sauteed spicy cumin lamb, in a lamb/beef broth. It was definitely spicy but so good if you are a spicy food lover. For those who aren’t into spicy food, you shouldn’t get this.

Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles

Their hand-ripped noodles mixed with sauteed spicy cumin lamb. It was so so so delicious and comforting, but it had a kick of heat to it. There are good chunks of lamb in it. The noodles were a bit chewy.

Final Thoughts

It was great to have something in New York that wasn’t burgers or pizza.

]]>http://foodology.ca/xian-famous-foods/feed/0http://foodology.ca/xian-famous-foods/Sweet Memory Desserts: Taiwanese Desserts in Richmondhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/q2kXuJmsGvE/
http://foodology.ca/sweet-memory-corner-richmond/#respondFri, 16 Feb 2018 16:00:17 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53750Sweet Memory Desserts is located in Richmond on Leslie Road. It was opened by the people behind Memory Corner, which is also in Richmond. We were eating dinner close by and decided to grab some dessert. Interior The interior transports you back in time and it’s very cute with all the lanterns and ornate decoration […]

Sweet Memory Desserts is located in Richmond on Leslie Road. It was opened by the people behind Memory Corner, which is also in Richmond. We were eating dinner close by and decided to grab some dessert.

Interior

The interior transports you back in time and it’s very cute with all the lanterns and ornate decoration all over the walls.

The space is pretty cramped when it’s busy, so there isn’t much space if you are carrying a big jacket and bag.

The brick walls, wooden furniture and the decor give the space so much character.

]]>http://foodology.ca/sweet-memory-corner-richmond/feed/0http://foodology.ca/sweet-memory-corner-richmond/2 Days in Colorado Springs: Accommodations, Transportation, Eating, Sightseeing, and Hikinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/4E92GOdy6Uw/
http://foodology.ca/2-days-in-colorado-springs/#respondFri, 16 Feb 2018 03:23:54 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54142I spent a few days in Colorado Springs taking in the sights of the Eastern Foot of the Rocky Mountains. A great change since I’m so used to seeing the Western-side from the West Coast of Canada. At 6,035 feet the city stands over 1.6 km above sea level, which is higher than Denver. For visitors like […]

I spent a few days in Colorado Springs taking in the sights of the Eastern Foot of the Rocky Mountains. A great change since I’m so used to seeing the Western-side from the West Coast of Canada.

At 6,035 feet the city stands over 1.6 km above sea level, which is higher than Denver. For visitors like me who are at sea level, this took a little bit of adjustment, so we didn’t exercise heavily. We took it slow, but did notice even climbing a flight of stairs was a bit more difficult. To counteract this, we made sure to stay very hydrated.

Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs is the historic Cliff House which has a Victorian charm to it. From its start as a stagecoach stop to its turn-of-the-century prominence as the area’s premier mineral resort, it remains ago to place in Manitou Springs to stay. We found that they have the glamour of a bygone era with a modern-day style and sophistication. Plus, they were awarded the AAA Four Diamond status. All the staff were friendly and helpful.

Each room has its individual character and includes special feature such as a gas fireplace, two person spa tubs, steam showers and towel warmers.

We stayed in the Katherine Lee Bates Celebrity Suite. It has a queen bed, sitting areas with gas fireplaces, heated towel racks, wifi and tub. The rooms are very beautiful and has all the modern features that you would need. Lots of outlets and USB plugs to charge all my devices.

Every morning, there is Light Continental Breakfast Buffet served in the dining area. We had a nibble of scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, cereals, yogurt, pastries, tea, juices, and freshly brewed coffee before we started each adventure.

At night, the same Dining Room as the breakfast buffet turns into a modern Victorian splendor for dinner. The walls are adorned with stunning oil paintings by local legend C.H. Rockey and the damask-covered tables are set with Riedel crystal wine glasses and Christofle Hotel flatware.

On the menu, you will find unique items like Elk, Lamb, and Rocky Mountain Trout for dinner.

Transportation: Rent a Car

The best way to get around Colorado Springs is renting a car. I looked into public transportation and car sharing, but the cheapest and most efficient way around was to rent a car. It’s best to book a vehicle ahead of time before you get to the airport. We actually booked ours via costco.com for the best deal.

You can taste test the 8 different mineral springs that once were thought to have healing powers. Each spring has its own distinctive flavour and effervescence, so make sure you bring a water bottle to taste them all.

This is crafted by natural rainwater and snow melt from Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains that soak into rock fractures. As the water penetrates deeper into the ground, it becomes heated and mineralized. The warm water naturally flows up into the porous limestone where it becomes carbonated.

It’s a fun experience, but not everyone likes the taste of mineral water. The best part is that it’s free.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a historical place. Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, the authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings are over 800 years old. Guests are encouraged to explore the dwellings room by room using a self-guided tour. These fascinating architectural remnants are from an American Indian culture that roamed the Southwest from 1200 B.C. to 1300 A.D. I can’t even imagine how life was like back then living in this dwelling.

There is an entry fee associated with visiting Manitou Cliff Dwellings.

Below the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings is a three-story Pueblo-style building that was built in the style of the descendants of the Anasazi. The first six rooms of our Pueblo were built in 1904 and housed a family of local Native Americans until 1984. Since then, the Pueblo has been expanded faithfully in the architectural style of the Pueblo Indians and houses the Anasazi museum and gift shop.

Crystal Park Cantina is a unique, home-style Mexican restaurant in Manitou Springs serving delicious food made with the finest ingredients available. On the menu, you will find tapas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and enjoy the drink menu of margaritas, sangria, and cocktails.

There is a contemporary atmosphere in this restaurant featuring local artists and is very casual and welcoming.

Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark with dramatic views, towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of Pikes Peak and if you’re lucky – brilliant blue skies. We loved it so much that we actually came twice, plus there is no entry fee. The outstanding geologic features of the park are the ancient sedimentary beds of deep-red, pink and white sandstones, conglomerates and limestone that were deposited horizontally, but have now been tilted vertically by the uplift of the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak.

Take a stop at the visitors centre to get a view of the entire garden at their viewing area. There is a theatre and other displays to learn more about the area. You can then drive freely around the garden and park in designated areas to view certain sights. You will definitely want to dedicated a few hours here as its just stunning.

There are hiking trails and shorter walks to cater to those with different abilities. The space is very photogenic, so I had a blast taking photographs. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some rock climbers.

When was the last time you were the honoured guest at a castle? Enjoyed a morning coffee on the terrace overlooking a herd of bighorn sheep? Just minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, Glen Eyrie is the original estate of the city’s founder, General William Jackson Palmer.

We did not stay here, but we did take a drive through the estate, but we could not step out of the vehicle to walk around. There are public tours at select times during the day, but we didn’t end up attending any of those.

The animals here are stunning and it was like having a mini safari ride driving through the estate.

Sightseeing/Hiking: Seven Falls

The Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls of South Cheyenne Creek. It is a privately-owned tourist attraction since it was opened in the 1880s, so you must take a bus to get inside as well as pay a small fee.

Trails from the top of the falls lead to Midnight Falls, near the headwaters of South Cheyenne Creek, and Inspiration Point.

Sightseeing/Hike: Helen Hunt Falls

Helen Hunt Falls is a waterfall located on Cheyenne Creek in the North Cheyenne Cañon Park. The falls are named in honor of Helen Maria Hunt Jackson, a United States poet and writer who became an activist on behalf of improved treatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government. Don’t confuse her with the actress with the same name.

There is parking for about 30 vehicles at the falls and it becomes crowded early during summer months when visits to the canyon are popular among locals and tourists. The Columbine Trail, which starts at the entrance of the Park by the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, terminates at Helen Hunt Falls.

You can hike a short distance of about 2/3 of a mile up a moderately steep trail above Helen Hunt Falls to reach Silver Cascade Falls. It’s a beautiful view from the top of Downtown Colorado Springs.

The Rabbit Hole is a hip underground bar and eatery accessible through a door that looks more like a subway stop than a restaurant. With a full bar and dinner menu, The Rabbit Hole has an Alice in Wonderland theme, but with a bit of morbid twist. This is fitting, since the owner claims this space was the original city morgue.

All the locals were raving about Four by Brother Luck and how he will be in Top Chef. He is no stranger to the culinary scene as he appeared on Beat Bobby Flay and won. Also he and appeared on Chopped. His restaurant – Four by Brother Luck focuses on the four providers behind his cooking – hunters, fisherman, farmer and gatherers.

The menu is split up into 4 sections to to show the four regions that has been influenced by Western European, Spanish Colonial, Native American and Latin American cuisine. You can order the tasting menu by choosing 4 courses.

]]>http://foodology.ca/2-days-in-colorado-springs/feed/0http://foodology.ca/2-days-in-colorado-springs/812 Cake and Dessert: Korean Cake in Burnabyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/KGXiR7dRKZ0/
http://foodology.ca/812-cake-and-dessert/#respondWed, 14 Feb 2018 16:00:42 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54088812 Cake and Dessert denotes their 8 signature cakes and desserts, crafted from a 12 step baking process. They specialize in cakes and desserts all handcrafted. All items here are inspired by local, seasonal ingredients and prepared daily. They are located close to Gilmore skytrain in Burnaby and there are parking spots out front. Cakes When […]

812 Cake and Dessert denotes their 8 signature cakes and desserts, crafted from a 12 step baking process. They specialize in cakes and desserts all handcrafted. All items here are inspired by local, seasonal ingredients and prepared daily. They are located close to Gilmore skytrain in Burnaby and there are parking spots out front.

Cakes

When we arrived, they have most of the cakes available but one of them was sold out.

Tiramisu

I got a slice of the tiramisu and it has layers of mascarpone cream and espresso chantilly. The slices are a good size and delicious.

Final Thoughts

]]>http://foodology.ca/812-cake-and-dessert/feed/0http://foodology.ca/812-cake-and-dessert/Zero Waste Series: Guide to Using Reusable Cups in Metro Vancouverhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/kTtsmHOmX18/
http://foodology.ca/zero-waste-series-guide-using-reusable-cups-metro-vancouver/#respondTue, 13 Feb 2018 16:00:52 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53990Cups, lids and sleeves make up 22% of large litter on Vancouver’s streets, parks and public spaces Every week, 2.6 million polycoat paper cups (coffee cups) are thrown away in Vancouver plus unknown amounts of plastic and polystyrene foam cups according to the City of Vancouver. Since I’ve stopped buying bottled water for the last […]

Cups, lids and sleeves make up 22% of large litter on Vancouver’s streets, parks and public spaces Every week, 2.6 million polycoat paper cups (coffee cups) are thrown away in Vancouver plus unknown amounts of plastic and polystyrene foam cups according to the City of Vancouver.

Since I’ve stopped buying bottled water for the last few year, I thought it was time to cut down on my consumption of disposable coffee cups. My friend and I ventured on the journey by finding the best reusable coffee cup on the market and we ended up buying JOCO Cups for their style and durability after evaluating a lot of other options. Especially with its glass design, it won’t taint the taste of your coffee.

We spent about a month trying to acquire this particular cup in their artist series by Jen Lobo from Amazon. The owl design is so cute and we’ve gotten so many positive comments on it.

Discounts for using reusable cups:

There are some discounts you can get around town if you bring a reusable cup or Thermos. I’ve contacted a lot of coffee shops in the last week and here is the list of what I found. If you know of any others, please email me at diana[at]foodology.ca or comment below and I’ll keep this list updated.

Starbucks offers a 10-cent discount in the company operated stores to encourage customers to use their own reusable mugs or tumblers for their beverages. Customers staying in a store can also request that their beverages be served in a ceramic mug where available.

]]>http://foodology.ca/zero-waste-series-guide-using-reusable-cups-metro-vancouver/feed/0http://foodology.ca/zero-waste-series-guide-using-reusable-cups-metro-vancouver/Peaceful Restaurant: Northern Chinese Cuisine for Chinese New Yearhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/MI7I8-9MyoU/
http://foodology.ca/peaceful-restaurant-northern-chinese-cuisine-chinese-new-year/#respondMon, 12 Feb 2018 16:00:25 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54034Peaceful Restaurant rings in the Year of the Dog with auspicious and culinary dishes created by owner and Master Chef Charlie Huang. We were invited to check out Traditional Chinese New Year foods and dishes to ring in the new year. They currently have 7 locations across the Lower Mainland and you can get all these items […]

Peaceful Restaurant rings in the Year of the Dog with auspicious and culinary dishes created by owner and Master Chef Charlie Huang. We were invited to check out Traditional Chinese New Year foods and dishes to ring in the new year. They currently have 7 locations across the Lower Mainland and you can get all these items on their regular menu.

Master Chef Charlie Huang

Owner-chef Charlie Huang’s culinary inspiration stems mainly from his upbringing in Xi’an, an ancient Silk-Road city in North-Western China. The cuisine in the city-region reflects the fusion of various cultures over the course of several thousand years, which Charlie has sought to bring to Vancouver and share with others. His cumulation of his various experiences and the desire to spread the experience and diversity of Chinese cuisine – he calls ‘homecooked comfort food’ – has led to the creation of Peaceful Restaurant.

He even did a dumpling demonstration to see how it’s all made by hand.

Sichuan Cucumbers 麻辣黃瓜

Woodear Mushroom Salad 涼拌木耳

Xi’an White Lamb Soup 羊肉泡饃

Sichuan Broth Braised Fish 水煮魚片

Xing-Jiang Cumin Lamb with Sesame Flatbread 孜然羊肉加燒餅

Mu-Shu Stir-fried Noodles 木須肉炒面

Chinese Rice Cakes 炒年糕

Sichuan Thousand Chilli Chicken 四川辣子雞

Sichuan String Beans 干煸四季豆

Dan-Dan Noodles 擔擔面

Sizzled Hot-Chilli Noodles 油潑辣子面

Xi’an Cold Steamed Noodles 陝西凉皮

Northern Pork Dumplings 北方水餃

Xiao-Long Bao Steamed Buns 小籠包

Peaceful Beef Rolls 牛肉卷餅

Pan-Fried Vegetable Dumplings 素菜鍋貼

Hand Pulled Noodles

I love hand pulled noodles especially when its freshly made. A piece of dough is repeatedly stretched and folded onto itself in order to align the glutens and warm up the dough for stretching. This dough is then pulled to about an arm span’s length. The puller then makes a loop with the dough, joining the two ends into one clump of dough, and inserts his fingers into the loop to keep the strand from sticking to itself. Doing this, the pull has doubled the length of the dough while fractioning its thickness. This process is repeated several times until the desired thickness and quantity is achieved.

Blade Sheared Noodles

With one hand holding the dough pointed downward at a 30º angle, and the other hand clutching a special sharp knife specifically made for this purpose, the noodles are shaved directly into a large pot of boiling water. It’s fast and has been described as an endless loop.

Final Thoughts

Traditional Chinese New Year foods and dishes include noodles, dumplings, fish and nian gao (glutinous rice cake). They symbolize happiness, longevity, an increase in wealth and prosperity.

A few of my favourite items of the night were:

Sichuan Thousand Chilli Chicken

Xi’an White Lamb Soup

Mu-Shu Stir-fried Noodles

Sichuan String Beans

Peaceful Beef Rolls

If you’re looking for a very casual restaurant for Northern Chinese cuisine, check out Peaceful Restaurant. There are many locations, but this particular one we went to is on West 4th Ave in Kitsilano.

]]>http://foodology.ca/peaceful-restaurant-northern-chinese-cuisine-chinese-new-year/feed/0http://foodology.ca/peaceful-restaurant-northern-chinese-cuisine-chinese-new-year/Vietnamese Tea House: Pho in Vancouverhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/iXhQtclxkTs/
http://foodology.ca/vietnamese-tea-house-pho-vancouver/#respondMon, 12 Feb 2018 01:20:22 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=54001Vietnamese Tea House opened a few months ago serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the East Village on Hastings Street close to Nanaimo Street. A few of us were invited to come dine here for dinner. The restaurant is small but there is definitely a lot of soul in the kitchen for making good food with […]

Vietnamese Tea House opened a few months ago serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the East Village on Hastings Street close to Nanaimo Street. A few of us were invited to come dine here for dinner. The restaurant is small but there is definitely a lot of soul in the kitchen for making good food with great value for what you are paying. Even tax is included in all prices. Everything is under $10.

Menu

Pandan tea

As we sat down, we were given a delightful pandan tea.

Avocado Rolls

This comes with 2 rolls cut in half, so you get 4 pieces per order. Nicely wrapped in a rice paper with lettuce vermicelli noodles and slices of avocados. There is a sauce on the side to dip in the avocado roll.

Beef Sashimi

Beef sashimi is cut thin and plated. It is topped with cilantro, peanuts, onions and sauce. Eat it up with a bit of everything on the plate. It was ok, but I felt like it needed some more acidity for my personal preferences.

Chicken Wings with garlic butter

The wings are golden brown topped with garlic butter sauce on each wing. With the addition of the sauce, it made the wing less crisp.

Chicken Wings with honey sauce

The honey sauce covers each wing but I guess kinda miss one of them. It was good but not as crisp similar to the other one. Some people do like saucy wings, but I prefer a bit crisp.

Stir Fried Corn with Shrimp

My favourite dish of the night was this dish of corn and shrimp. Such a simple item, but so full of flavour. It’s better known as a Vietnamese street food in Saigon, so you won’t typically find this in a restaurant.

Green papaya with beef jerky

The shredded green papaya and carrots are mixed with some basil, nuts and topped with pieces of beef jerky. Sounds like an odd combination, but this is another popular item in Vietnam.

Pork Spring Rolls

There are 2 spring rolls per order. Crisp on the outside and stuffed with a good amount of pork.

Pho

We chose ours with Beef Balls, Beef tripe and Rare Beef. A large is very affordable and you can add on all this meat. The broth is delicious and full of depth. tastes healthy too.

Bun Bo Hue

This is the spicy beef vermicelli soup loaded with lots of meat. Another favourite dish of the evening.

Vietnamese Crab Noodle Soup

They use real crab in this noodle soup, so it can be too crabby for some people. I liked it because it was hearty and goes well with the Vancouver rainy days.

Lemongrass Chicken and Pork Patty Vermicelli

The bottom has vermicelli noodles and topped with veggies, lemongrass chicken, pork, nuts and green onions.

Shredded Pork Banh Mi

The banh mi has the pork pickled veggies inside the soft bun. The exterior was a bit crisp but could have been a bit more.

Chicken Curry on Rice

The chicken curry comes in a small bowl with a huge plate of rice and veggies.

Then there is also a soup that accompanies this meal too. The curry sauce was a bit thin and could have been a bit better. I could stick with the other dishes and pass on the curry next time.

Special Vietnamese Pandan Milk Tea

Being called a Tea House, the tea better be good. I had the special Vietnamese Pandan Milk Tea with coconut jelly. The pandan milk tea is subtle but was yummy.

Avocado Slush

Avocado slush is made with real avocados. There is even a slice on top.

Jackfruit Slush

Everyone loved the jackfruit slush. Not very icy compared to other places around town and its great that there are a few pieces of jackfruit on top. If you’re looking for something quick, casual and affordable, this is the place to go.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised about this little restaurant. It has good pho, appetizers and drinks at great prices with tax included.

]]>http://foodology.ca/vietnamese-tea-house-pho-vancouver/feed/0http://foodology.ca/vietnamese-tea-house-pho-vancouver/Chinese New Year Dinner made Easy with Real Canadian Superstorehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/FgZ-FhHeTWw/
http://foodology.ca/chinese-new-year-dinner-made-easy-real-canadian-superstore/#respondSat, 10 Feb 2018 16:00:03 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53783As I am getting older and the days never seem to slow down, I really value convenience wherever I go. If I can save even as little as 30 minutes, I’m super happy. With Chinese New Year coming up quite soon, entertaining the family with ease can be tricky as lots of symbolic food needs to […]

As I am getting older and the days never seem to slow down, I really value convenience wherever I go. If I can save even as little as 30 minutes, I’m super happy. With Chinese New Year coming up quite soon, entertaining the family with ease can be tricky as lots of symbolic food needs to be made to celebrate the start of a new year.

I am a big fan of Real Canadian Superstore and its selection of authentic brands and products like Rooster brand and T&T items, at a great value. I can find all my dinner ingredients that are fresh and dry like Rooster Brand Dried Flower Mushrooms, bok choy and Chinese rock sugar. and As well as decor and dish ware all in one place.

My secret indulgence is snacks, so you will always find some sweets at my Chinese New Year celebrations. Each Real Canadian Superstore location varies slightly, but you’ll still be able to find what you’re looking for.

I came to get all the ingredients to create some of my favourite Chinese dishes like Braised Chinese Mushrooms, Sesame Bok Choy, Dumplings and Red-Braised Pork Belly for my dinner.

Over the years, they listened to their customers and expanded their selection of vegetables and fruit like white pomelo.

Chinese New Year Dinner and Symbolism

These are a lot of symbolisms in the food we eat at Chinese New Year that bring us great fortune in the new year. Here are a few of the symbols from the dinner I prepared, and their meaning:

Tangerines/Oranges:

This is one of the most common symbols as tangerines mean wealth and oranges mean luck. Thus, having these around will bring good luck and fortune in the coming year.

Dumplings:

The shape of a dumpling is similar to ancient gold or silver ingots, thus symbolize wealth.

Pork:

As pig is part of the Chinese Zodiac, it invokes strength, wealth, and abundant blessing.

Rice:

As a staple of any Chinese dinner, this brings fertility and luck.

Bok Choy:

Symbolizes close family ties.

Mushroom:

As mentioned in a lot of Chinese literature, this represents longevity or even immortality.

Box of Harmony

A Candy box aka “Box of Harmony” symbolizes money and sweetness of life. A variety of snacks like nuts, seeds, candy and dried fruits are displayed in the box, but you can arrange it any manner you like.

Bring large saucepan of water to a boil. Add pork; return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 5 minutes. Transfer with tongs to cutting board; let cool enough to handle. Cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks. Set aside.

Slice 2 green onions into 2-inch (5 cm) lengths. Add ginger to cutting board; hit sliced green onions and ginger several times with back of knife to lightly bruise and crush. Stir into pork mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until pork is fork-tender, about 1 hour.

]]>http://foodology.ca/chinese-new-year-dinner-made-easy-real-canadian-superstore/feed/0http://foodology.ca/chinese-new-year-dinner-made-easy-real-canadian-superstore/Luke’s Lobster: Seafood Rolls in New Yorkhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/1y9veuI2hLo/
http://foodology.ca/lukes-lobster/#respondFri, 09 Feb 2018 16:00:45 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53062The first stop in New York when we got into the city was to get a bite of Luke’s Lobster for dinner in the financial district. They serve up sustainable seafood straight from the source and pair seafood with chowders and bisques, Maine-style sides, local desserts, natural sodas, and local microbrews. Luke’s Lobster first opened […]

The first stop in New York when we got into the city was to get a bite of Luke’s Lobster for dinner in the financial district. They serve up sustainable seafood straight from the source and pair seafood with chowders and bisques, Maine-style sides, local desserts, natural sodas, and local microbrews. Luke’s Lobster first opened its doors in the East Village in 2009 and now has multiple locations across the country.

Interior

The decor is reminiscent of a dock or boats which matches with the seafood. Since it was late into the evening, there wasn’t anyone else here, so we had the whole place to ourselves.

Menu

Luke’s Trio

Luke’s Trio give you a sampling of each roll. You get 1/2 lobster roll, 1/2 crab roll, and 1/2 shrimp roll.

The sizes are pretty small, so if you eat them all, you’ll definitely need a few extra items to go along with your meal. The lobster roll was good but it was gobbled up as quickly as it took to prepare the meal.

The crab roll is filled with Jonah Crab and it subtly sweet and delicious.

The shrimp roll uses North Atlantic Shrimp between the toasted bun. Naturally sweet and enjoyable as well.

Lobster Mac & Cheese

This has pasta shells in a creamy, mascarpone-cheddar blend with tender chunks of lobster, topped with garlic herb breadcrumbs. The lobster was buried under all the breadcrumbs and pasta, so there as a bit of digging to be done to ind the pieces of lobster. It was good but the size was also a bit small.

Clam Chowder

This is a New England- style clam chowder. We got a small size to share between the two of us. Warm, hearty and enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the food was delicious and fresh, but it was a bit pricey for what we’re used to. It can get expensive if you want to get full. I would recommend coming here for a snack rather than a full meal.

]]>http://foodology.ca/lukes-lobster/feed/0http://foodology.ca/lukes-lobster/Slurpees and Painkillers to Your Door from 7-Elevenhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/3mtRiUy2Yf4/
http://foodology.ca/slurpees-painkillers-door-7-eleven/#respondThu, 08 Feb 2018 23:00:27 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53981How many times have you heard from a co-worker “what should I eat today? I don’t want to go too far, it’s raining.” Joining the ranks of food straight to your door, 7-Eleven has partnered with Nomme, a food delivery service, to deliver in Richmond (BC), Calgary and Edmonton. This new service is done via […]

How many times have you heard from a co-worker “what should I eat today? I don’t want to go too far, it’s raining.” Joining the ranks of food straight to your door, 7-Eleven has partnered with Nomme, a food delivery service, to deliver in Richmond (BC), Calgary and Edmonton. This new service is done via an app called Nomme.

For a limited time, delivery is free too! Courtesy of 7-Eleven, Diana and I enjoyed pizza, hot wings, a slurpee, chips and loads of candy with our coworkers.

While we didn’t have it in our delivery, you can also get things like Tylenol and Pepto Bismol.

Is slurpee as good without the sun beating down on you as you walk from the playground with your allowance janggling in your hoodie pockets? You bet it is.

Tips for adult slurpee enjoyment: mix in some vodka or sake and you’ve got an original Bellini creation.

]]>http://foodology.ca/slurpees-painkillers-door-7-eleven/feed/0http://foodology.ca/slurpees-painkillers-door-7-eleven/Tim Hortons Roll up the Rim to Win is Back for 2018http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/Ed9jgDlZTEo/
http://foodology.ca/tim-hortons-roll-rim-win-back-2018/#respondThu, 08 Feb 2018 16:00:18 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53970It’s February, so that means Tim Hortons has their annual Roll up the Rim to Win back for 2018 with over 36 million prizes up for grabs. For the first time ever 500 lucky Canadians will win Tim Hortons Free Coffee for a Year prizes. In addition to new prizing, Tim Hortons also announced its first-ever SCRRRoll […]

It’s February, so that means Tim Hortons has their annual Roll up the Rim to Win back for 2018 with over 36 million prizes up for grabs.

For the first time ever 500 lucky Canadians will win Tim Hortons Free Coffee for a Year prizes. In addition to new prizing, Tim Hortons also announced its first-ever SCRRRoll Up To Win offer in the Tim Hortons Mobile App. If you don’t have their mobile app yet, it’s a good time to do so.

Some of the big prizes this year are:

50 2018 Honda Civic Sedan EX-T vehicles

100 $5000 CIBC Prepaid cards

50,000 $50Tim Card gift cards

1 in 6 chance to win millions of free Latte, Coffee and Food Prizes.

There’s even more ways of entering, you can also RRRoll Up at Home by purchasing eligible products like bottled Iced Capp and single-serve, canister or bagged coffee, wherever the product is sold, for a chance to win one of 10,000 prizes online. To enter, you can take a photo of their receipt and upload it to www.rollupathome.com, and then register to enter the RRRoll Up at Home contest.

I wasn’t so lucky rolling up my first rim, but may odds be in your favour. With 1 in 6 chances of winning something, perhaps the next one I’ll be more lucky.

RRRoll Up the Rim to Win runs from February 7 until March 28, 2018 or while cup supplies last, whichever occurs first. Contest rules, odds of winning and prizing information can be found at participating Tim Hortons Restaurants or at www.rolluptherimtowin.com.

]]>http://foodology.ca/tim-hortons-roll-rim-win-back-2018/feed/0http://foodology.ca/tim-hortons-roll-rim-win-back-2018/Kungfu Fish: Sichuan Fish Hot Pot in Aberdeen Mallhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/gAmT0bjiPTE/
http://foodology.ca/kungfu-fish-sichuan-fish-hot-pot-aberdeen-mall/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53940Kungfu Fish specializes in a variety of baked fish and seafood dishes served in hot pots with traditional spicy (and mild) flavours from Sichuan, China. They have over 40 locations in China, USA and Canada. Recently, their latest location is in Richmond inside Aberdeen on the 2nd floor. Their grand opening is on January 7th […]

Kungfu Fish specializes in a variety of baked fish and seafood dishes served in hot pots with traditional spicy (and mild) flavours from Sichuan, China. They have over 40 locations in China, USA and Canada. Recently, their latest location is in Richmond inside Aberdeen on the 2nd floor.

Their grand opening is on January 7th and they are having a week of specials, so check the out.

Interior

The space inside is very large and is great for groups. There are even 2 private rooms if you want to have more private and intimate dining experience. I love those red doors as they are styled to look like vaults.

Each table has their own service bell, so you can call the servers whenever you need something.

Appetizers

We started with a few different appetizers to begin as we waiting for the main course.

Kungfu Peanuts

Very crunchy and I love the texture with the hint of heat from the peppers.

Bobo Chicken

One of the popular appetizers is Bobo chicken, which has chicken in chili oil. Very delicious and I enjoyed the subtle heat.

Garlic Grilled Scallops

Definitely no shortage of garlic here. Each piece has one scallop and its loaded with garlic. Normally there are 4 pieces per order.

Garlic Grilled Prawns

The prawns are pretty large and cooked well, so it’s still succulent and juicy. Normally, there are 2 pieces per order.

Garlic Grilled Eggplant

This meal definitely had enough garlic to ward off vampires, but it balances well with the items that it sits on top of. The eggplant was cut in a unique was so it lay flat.

Kungfu Sausage

The sausage is spicy and it is cut thinly. Not my favourite item, so next time I would pass on it.

]]>http://foodology.ca/kungfu-fish-sichuan-fish-hot-pot-aberdeen-mall/feed/0http://foodology.ca/kungfu-fish-sichuan-fish-hot-pot-aberdeen-mall/Jugo Juice: Cali Crush, Avocado Toast, Green Glow and Cranberry Chia Puddinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Foodology/~3/fdiIKwSskQ0/
http://foodology.ca/jugo-juice-spring/#commentsTue, 06 Feb 2018 16:00:29 +0000http://foodology.ca/?p=53924Jugo Juice has been my quick go-to to grab something satisfying, and healthy. My past favourites have been the PB and Chocolate, and Big Blue Protein. The Mighty Kale is another favourite I adopted from one of my previous co-workers who would have it everyday for lunch! If I was feeling extra hungry, I would […]

Jugo Juice has been my quick go-to to grab something satisfying, and healthy. My past favourites have been the PB and Chocolate, and Big Blue Protein. The Mighty Kale is another favourite I adopted from one of my previous co-workers who would have it everyday for lunch! If I was feeling extra hungry, I would grab a wrap, like the Sweet Chili Chicken.

Cali Crush

I had the pleasure to visit the Jugo Juice in Yaletown to try out their new, featured smoothie, the Cali Crush. This smoothie is packed with grapefruits, lemons and oranges, and is balanced out with strawberries and a hint of cucumber. With all the citrus fruits packed in a Cali Crush, you’re sure to get more than your daily recommended amount of vitamin C, try 349%! Since vitamin C may lessen the duration and symptoms of a cold, this smoothie would be the perfect aid during the cold winter months.

The Cali Crush is slightly tart and sour, but is perfect if you love citrus flavours.There is the option of having whey protein added, which softens the flavour’s tangy zing. I preferred the Cali Crush with the whey protein added because it tasted less tart, and slightly sweet.

Avocado Toast

I can’t think of a better food pairing to the Cali Crush than one of Jugo Juice’s avocado toasts. There are three delicious flavours to choose from, which is all atop a toasted Terra Breads sourdough:

Sriracha Honey with Hemp Hearts

Olive Tapenade and Fresh Basil

Chipotle Corn and Black Beans

My favourite of the three was the Sriracha Honey. I love a good combination of spicy and sweet flavours, and an avocado toast is the perfect vehicle for this delicious sauce. The drizzle is so good, that it actually inspired me to try and make my own Sriracha Honey! The toasted Terra Breads sourdough is crunchy on the edges, and a good chew closer to the middle of the toast. The Olive Tapenade avocado toast was also very tasty! The great thing about avocado toast is that even if I pig-out on more than one slice, I won’t need to feel guilty since it’s healthy!

Green Glow

In addition to tasting the Cali Crush and the avocado toasts, I tried the Green Glow, which has coconut water, avocado (can’t get enough), kale, tropical juices, pineapple, and banana. I couldn’t help but feel good after drinking a great-tasting smoothie, especially since the word “glow” is in its name!

Cranberry Chia Pudding

I also couldn’t help from being curious about the Cranberry Chia Pudding, which has cranberry juice, coconut milk, chia seeds, cinnamon, and strawberry and blueberry compote. It is topped with granola form Terra Breads, which adds a textural contrast to the creaminess of the chia pudding. This was a little cup of happiness for me, and I would get this again as a healthy snack (or breakfast, or dessert). I could eat this anytime!

Final Thoughts

The food tasting at Jugo Juice has reminded me how much I enjoy a really good smoothie, and healthy food options. So if you’re looking for a winter pick-me-up, give the Cali Crush, and one of the delicious avocado toasts on their menu a try!